The miracle continues…
If you’ve visited my blog very much, you know that I often walk at a nature trail near my house. When we are blessed with 70 degree days in December, you can bet that I make every effort to work in a trip to the trail before the sun sets.
On my walks this past month, I’ve noticed the additional of many calves in the resident Angus herd. It’s birthing season and the pasture is dotted with little black bundles of bovine.
The pastures are enormous and home for a large number of cows and their babies. Often, both cows and calves hang out close to the fence. On one walk about two weeks ago, I observed one cow birthing her baby beside the fence for all of us to marvel over. But, on this most recent walk (when I had my phone with me), the often photogenic herd didn’t pose near the fences for me and instead, were scattered all over the pasture–too far away for you to be able to have a close up view of the numerous babies or the scores of cows in the pasture.
As I continued my walk, I pondered the miracle of birth. If you are a parent, you’re already aware of that miracle–that God created us in such a way that man and woman come together in love as each contribute genetically to create a miracle child.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
We are in midst of the season of celebration of the most amazing miracle of birth in human history.
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34
We know that all things are possible with God. Mary was blessed with a husband who was obedient to His God. Joseph did not shame or desert her when he learned she was expecting a baby. He was there to protect Mary during her pregnancy and the birth of her child–the Son of God.
All things are possible with God.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:4-7
So many miracles here…
- God’s marvelous aspect of creation that allows us to have children.
- In this case, Mary and Joseph’s faithfulness to God’s plan.
- God’s greatest gift of love to us–our Savior, Christ the Lord.
- The gift of salvation.
The miracle continues…
Jesus always knew His purpose on Earth. He fulfilled the prophecy proclaimed by Isaiah long before that first Christmas in Bethlehem. At the beginning of His ministry, following His period of testing in the wilderness, Jesus shared His purpose as He read from the scroll of Isaiah in a synagogue in Nazareth.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
At some point in our lives, most of us have experienced poorness of spirit, have been held captive in a prison of sin, have been blind to God’s love for us, or oppressed by others or our own bad choices.
Jesus came to free us from all that tragedy and sin while also sacrificing himself, shedding His innocent blood to atone for our sins, so that we may have eternal life with Him.
The miracle continues…
How does it make you feel to be part of an ongoing miracle?
Wishing you a blessed Christmas, my friends.
I’m going to take a break from my blog until the New Year. I pray that God will protect you and bless you with good health during this holiday season and into the New Year.
See you in 2021.
Isn’t God amazing in the lessons He can show us through anything? Much like your nature walk that shows you the miracle of birth, God brought to your mind the birth of our Savior and what a miracle that was. And that he chose Joseph, a man of integrity and faith, to be the earthly father of Jesus. And yes, our blogs this week were similar, another way God works through us by giving the same message to more than one person. May you have a blessed Christmas and enjoy your time off!
I agree, Barbara, when God has a message to pass along, He uses a variety of methods and people to send. So glad we both had the opportunity to be chosen for that purpose this year. I’m enjoying your pictures from abroad–please keep them coming!
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year my friend. We’ll be praying 2021 will be filled with happiness and joy for you. It’s not an easy journey, but we know it starts within us, with whom we place our trust. Watching the birth of a calf is an amazing experience; participating in it, especially when it’s a troublesome birth, in exponentially more fulfilling. I’ve often wondered if God celebrates with each milestone we reach in our journey of sanctification in the same way I do watching a calf being born. Are the front hooves out first and facing downward? Praise Jesus, the calf in facing the right direction. Has head and shoulders cleared the birth canal? Thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy. Have the rear hips made it out before the rear hooves? Oh, praise God, we’re almost there. Have they taken a breath after clearing their airway? Yes, there’s life! Thank you Lord for Your great blessing. Another live calf to fill out the herd. Help me to care for it in the way Your creation deserves to be loved and cared for. I wonder, how does God celebrate when His children learn to trust and turn to Him in all circumstances. How does He celebrate when we finally surrender ourselves to Him. Oh, how you’ve touched my heart today ma’am. Jesus; all the reason we ever need for joy! God’s blessings my friend.
Oh, my dear friend, I love the way you take us through each step of the birthing of a calf and how you praise God for this miracle of birth. I think you are right, our Father is just as proud, happy, and thrilled when we take those steps toward Him–toward our re-birth and our journey to be His child. I’m so grateful for your thoughts and prayers this year. You have been a rock of faith during my journey. May God continue to bless you and Diane this season and in the upcoming year.
Thank you, Katherine, for your post that brings home to me how often, the ordinary things of life can remind us of profound lessons from God! I pray you and your family will have a blessed Christmas, celebrating all the miracles of that so miraculous birth!
I agree, Kathy, sometimes those “ordinary” things are some of our greatest joys and hopes. Love is something that we sometimes take for granted. We expect our family to love us unconditionally. But isn’t love one of the greatest miracles of all? We are so blessed that God gifted us with the joy (and even the sorrows) of loving. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.
Ps 139:13-14 has always been a favorite as I’ve spent my life working with children. In fact, the words are painted on the walls of the learning center where I last worked.
Two of my children were December babies and i especially loved having new babies in the house those years as we celebrated Christ’s birth.
As always, your photos are beautiful.
Thank you for your encouragement, Candyce. December babies! How awesome! I agree that being gifted with a new life during the Season of Christmas makes that new blessing extra special. I love Psalm 139, too. It has so much wisdom and assurance of God’s love. Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year, my friend.
Katherine, I love your subtitle: “The Miracles Continue.” Thank you for reminding us of past and present miracles with your beautiful writing.
Thank you, Jeannie. Your sweet encouragement makes me smile and brings hope. Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas and continued blessings in 2021. Your ministry brings hope, joy, and love to many. Thank you for sharing with us by “brightening our days.”